http://if.com.au/ Inside Film - Australia en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss info@if.com.au (The Editor) http://if.com.au////article/Sevens-Packed-To-The-Rafters-is-back-for-season-five/OZWPLUIFJV.html http://if.com.au////article/Sevens-Packed-To-The-Rafters-is-back-for-season-five/OZWPLUIFJV.html Sam Dallas Australia’s highest-rated TV drama series Packed To The Rafters is back to claim its crown. The Seven series, which last year averaged 1.8 million viewers, returns next week with another 22 episodes. It’s the nation’s favourite drama, having netted Best Australian Drama at the last three Logie Awards. Two weeks ago it also took out the Audience Choice Award for Best TV Program at the inaugural AACTA Awards. Series producer Chris Martin-Jones, who occasionally sits in the director’s chair, puts the show's success down to it being so relatable. The drama focuses on the Rafter family – a family, which, like any, faces pressures of life and love while dealing with serious social issues. “They can see the characters in their own lives. They... Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:42:09 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/Peter-Andrikidis-talks-about-new-ABC-series-The-Straits/GCCPNBZOAY.html http://if.com.au////article/Peter-Andrikidis-talks-about-new-ABC-series-The-Straits/GCCPNBZOAY.html Brendan Swift Peter Andrikidis is one of Australia's most respected directors. The Straits marks the third series where he has worked with rising talent Aaron Fa’Aoso, and the first to be based on aspects of his life. “He’s had a pretty hard life – he’s got a lot to say,” Andrikidis says, who first worked with Fa'Aoso on crime series East West 101 and the soon-to-be released bikie telemovie Brothers in Arms. "Aaron’s grown so much from East West one to East West three – he’s just learnt so much. He’s like a sponge and he just keeps getting better and better. Certainly, with this character [Noel Montebello] there’s a balance of humour and also, he has a heavy touch as well, so getting the tone of the show right was the... Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:10:20 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/New-doco-series-filming-chef-Mark-Olive-in-Australia/LXLSWRIPVX.html http://if.com.au////article/New-doco-series-filming-chef-Mark-Olive-in-Australia/LXLSWRIPVX.html Fay Al-Janabi Indigenous Australian chef Mark Olive, aka ‘The Black Olive’, will appear in an episode of the German 360° – Geo Reportage documentary series. The series, which screens on Europe’s leading cultural TV channel, ARTE, is currently being filmed in Australia. It explores the lives of everyday heroes around the world. On the show, Olive will introduce European viewers to the native Australian meats, herbs and spices that make his cuisine unique, showing viewers where these ingredients are found in Australia. Filming is due to take place in a range of locations across Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory. With 25 years of experience, Olive’s passion for Australian ingredients was showcased in his Outback Café cookbook. His take... Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:30:53 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/From-Crownies-to-the-US-Daniel-Lissing-cast-on-ABCs-Last-Resort/KIVWPLVLAW.html http://if.com.au////article/From-Crownies-to-the-US-Daniel-Lissing-cast-on-ABCs-Last-Resort/KIVWPLVLAW.html Sam Dallas Sydney actor Daniel Lissing may have cracked the tough Hollywood market. The young actor, recently seen on ABC's Crownies, has been the first actor cast to appear in pilot Last Resort.Œ If the pilot - commissioned by ABC - goes ahead, Lissing will be a 'series regular'. Lissing, who is represented locally by Rise Media Group (formerly Woodburn Sweitzer Management), sent a self-taped audition to casting directors Rebecca Mangieri (Cold Case, Burn Notice) and Wendy Weidman (CSI: NY) and it appears to have worked for The Shield creator, Shawn Ryan, who will co-write and co-executive produce the series. Casino Royale director Martin Campbell is attached to direct the show. Lissing, whose other credits include feature John Doe, Cops LAC and Packed To The Rafters, will... Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:31:00 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/Matchbox-Pictures-to-produce-1st-project-for-commercial-TVUnderground-telemovie/LVVGWQGMEA.html http://if.com.au////article/Matchbox-Pictures-to-produce-1st-project-for-commercial-TVUnderground-telemovie/LVVGWQGMEA.html Sam Dallas Matchbox Pictures, best known for recent hit series The Slap, will produce its first ever project for a commercial network. The award-winning, Melbourne-based company is currently gearing up for its April shoot date on upcoming Channel 10 telemovie, Underground. Penned and to be directed by Robert Connolly, the biographical telemovie is set in late-1980s-suburban Melbourne. It follows Wikileaks founder Julian Assange as a teenager along with his gang of friends – the International Subversives – as they try to break into the computer systems of the world's most powerful organisations. Hoping to uncover the inner workings of these groups, the boys wage battle from their bedrooms with the technologies, with each other and with the Senior AFP detective who is intent... Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:30:33 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/ABC-commissions-second-series-of-Stay-Tuned/YJAAHXMPBS.html http://if.com.au////article/ABC-commissions-second-series-of-Stay-Tuned/YJAAHXMPBS.html Sam Dallas Kids will soon be getting another dose of ABC3 series Stay Tuned after the popular show was commissioned for a second season. The interactive music show, aimed at the 10-15-year-old market, is produced by Sydney production company The Feds and shooting began last week. The series, which this time will be fully-funded by the public broadcaster, will again be hosted by actor Joel Phillips (Home And Away) and singer/dancer Nicole Singh. The show's hosts/bloggers attempt to answer viewer questions (submitted via the show’s website) by interviewing several Australian and international artists and relevant music industry people. “The questions are getting more and more clever – like 'how do you match music with lyrics?' and 'how many decibels do... Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:56:57 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/ACMA-calls-for-industry-submissions-on-the-future-of-digital-TV/IBOLZHPWPS.html http://if.com.au////article/ACMA-calls-for-industry-submissions-on-the-future-of-digital-TV/IBOLZHPWPS.html Fay Al-Janabi The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has called for submissions about the technological future of free-to-air television following its transition to digital television. Australia’s transition from free-to-air to digital television technology in 2001 allowed for better quality images and sound, multi-channels, and features such as virtual TV guides and parental lock systems. Televisual technology continues to evolve however, with new features such as data compression, ultra high-definition and 3D imaging offering more possibilities for the future of television. ACMA has released a discussion paper in an effort to gather industry and community commentary on the future of digital terrestrial television. “We're interested in the drivers of... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:58:16 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/ABC-telemovie-Cliffy-set-to-begin-production-in-April/HYQOLVUWEL.html http://if.com.au////article/ABC-telemovie-Cliffy-set-to-begin-production-in-April/HYQOLVUWEL.html Fay Al-Janabi The Victorian farmer who became famous after breaking world records in the 1983 Sydney to Melbourne marathon, Cliff Young, will be immortalised in an ABC TV telemovie. Set against the backdrop of the early eighties, Cliffy will retrace Young’s journey from his days training in cow paddocks on his farm, to the epic six-day marathon run he won at 61-years of age. Cliffy has been picked up by ABC1, with filming due to start in mid-April across Albury-Wodonga and regional Victoria. The telemovie was written by Robert B. Taylor (Muggers) and will be produced by Clock End Films. Dean Murphy (Charlie & Boots, Strange Bedfellows) will be directing the telemovie with Nigel Odell (Strange Bedfellows, Long Weekend) as producer. Carole Sklan, ABC TV’s head of fiction said... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:15:46 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/Grant-Bowler-cast-as-lead-on-US-sci-fi-series-Defiance/FTIKEZCIQL.html http://if.com.au////article/Grant-Bowler-cast-as-lead-on-US-sci-fi-series-Defiance/FTIKEZCIQL.html Sam Dallas Local actor Grant Bowler has been cast as a lead in a new US science-fiction show. Known for performances locally in Blue Heelers and The Mole and across the Pacific in Ugly Betty and Lost, the Australian actor will be seen on Syfy series Defiance. The live-action drama is penned by Farscape creator Rockne S. O’Bannon. “Grant’s charismatic charm and his depth as an actor make him the perfect anchor as we build the ensemble for this sweeping adventure series,” Syfy’s president of original content Mark Stern said in a statement. "We’re very excited to have him join us on this incredible journey." Directed by Scott Stewart (Legion, Priest), the series is set on a future earth where humans and aliens are living together on a... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:48:53 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/This-Christmas-from-the-team-behind-Review-With-Myles-Barlow-heading-to-ABC/HNZAYVLZAQ.html http://if.com.au////article/This-Christmas-from-the-team-behind-Review-With-Myles-Barlow-heading-to-ABC/HNZAYVLZAQ.html Sam Dallas The team behind satirical black comedy series Review With Myles Barlow is expecting to shoot a new comedy for the ABC in March. Trent O’Donnell and Phil Lloyd, who created two seasons of the AFI Award-winning Barlow program, will be involved in acting/directing/writing and producing on the new show. The 6x30-minute narrative series follows a young Australian based in London (Lloyd) who comes home to his dysfunctional family every Christmas, hoping things would have improved but they haven’t. The story is told over six different holiday seasons. No other cast has been announced for the Jungleboys production, which received funding from the NSW government. Directed by O’Donnell (Woodley), it’s expected to be filmed in Sydney in mid-March. “I... Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:17:19 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/Filming-begins-on-ABC-series-Next-Stop-Hollywood/MFAFWXDGCL.html http://if.com.au////article/Filming-begins-on-ABC-series-Next-Stop-Hollywood/MFAFWXDGCL.html Danii Logue Filming has begun on ABC’s docu-drama Next Stop Hollywood, which follows six aspiring Australian actors as they compete for coveted roles during the US TV pilot season. "We will see them setting up home in Hollywood, struggling in a foreign city, away from family and friends," said producer Michael McMahon.Œ"We see them going to voice coaching and acting lessons, arranging agent meetings and ultimately going to auditions and waiting for the callback. There will be plenty of drama, excitement and heartbreak.” IF Award-winning documentary filmmaker Gary Doust (Making Venus) will direct Next Stop HollywoodŒwhile McMahon, Beth Frey and Cecilia Ritchie of Matchbox Pictures (The Slap) will produce. Outgoing ABC TV head of arts and entertainment,... Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:21:32 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/Seven-and-December-Media-to-co-produce-Great-Train-Robbery-drama-Mrs-Biggs/QMGUINWYOK.html http://if.com.au////article/Seven-and-December-Media-to-co-produce-Great-Train-Robbery-drama-Mrs-Biggs/QMGUINWYOK.html Sam Dallas A new five-part drama seriesŒabout the “untold love story” behind the Great Train Robbery is being co-produced byŒAustralia'sŒDecember Media, The Seven Network and the UK's ITV Studios, it has been announced. Mrs Biggs, written by BAFTA award-winning writer Jeff Pope, will commence shooting in Manchester next month before movingŒDown UnderŒ(Adelaide and Melbourne) and will continue for 11 weeks. Other filming locations include Paris, London, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Rio de Janeiro. December MediaŒ– formerly known as December Films –ŒwasŒone of four Australian houses last year to receive funding through Screen Australia's Enterprise Program. Past projectsŒfrom the Melbourne-based companyŒinclude... Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:06:23 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/Terra-Nova-profitable-but-second-series-yet-to-be-given-the-green-light/CRBVDQYNPL.html http://if.com.au////article/Terra-Nova-profitable-but-second-series-yet-to-be-given-the-green-light/CRBVDQYNPL.html Brendan Swift Twentieth Century Fox Television is close to deciding whether to green-light a second series of Terra Nova. Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly, speaking at the Television Critics Association winter press tour over the weekend, said the series had spent much of its first season "hunting" creatively but was profitable for the company. "We made money on it, the studio made money on it, the audience enjoyed it," he said, according to Reuters. The show was the second-highest rated drama of the fall despite declining ratings for dramas, Reilly said. A decision to proceed would be a boon for Australian cast and crewŒ– the initial 13-part series was filmed in south-east Queensland, employing hundreds of locals. Production needs to start in February... Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:56:10 +1100